Panama anger, China-linked crime, ousted Peru president: 7 Latin America relations reads

1. China becomes Brazil’s biggest vehicle exporter in January, surpassing Argentina

China surpassed Argentina in February to become Brazil’s largest exporter of vehicles, solidifying Chinese brands’ dominance in the region’s biggest car market and undercutting a long-standing Argentine trade advantage within Mercosur.

2. Panama ousts Hong Kong operator from canal ports in ruling backed by Washington

Panama took control of two ports at the Atlantic and Pacific entrances of the Panama Canal after a Supreme Court ruling voided the concession of their Hong Kong-based operator, a move Washington officials said was “in line with President Donald Trump’s drive to curb Chinese influence” over the strategic waterway.

3. Peru President Jose Jeri ousted in ‘Chifagate’ scandal tied to China contractor

Peru’s Congress voted to remove President Jose Jeri from office following a series of undisclosed late-night meetings at a Chinese restaurant with a Chinese state contractor, setting off a political scandal dubbed “Chifagate”, a reference to the country’s Chinese-Peruvian fusion cuisine.

South China Morning Post